MORE than a million pounds is to be poured into a project to transform the historic Co-op building in Victoria Square back to the former glory of its heyday.

Halton Borough Council has struck up a partnership with the building's current owner, Maryland Securities, in a bid to get the revamp complete by next spring, as part of the larger redevelopment of Widnes town centre.

While the lower floors will be converted to shops, the upper floors have been earmarked for use as a training centre for the council's 6,500 staff members. The lower floor could also be home to some of the restaurant businesses whose premises have been demolished to make way for the Asda scheme.

The council has also been talking to the owners of other properties in and around Victoria Square, including the Cornerhouse pub and Sexton's Furnishings about the possibility of upgrading the buildings.

Funding for the restoration is being provided by the council and the Local Strategic Partnership.

Councillor Rob Polhill, executive board member for planning, transportation and development, said the move was another positive step in the right direction for the regeneration of Widnes town centre.

He said: 'We will now be spending more than £2m on restoring the Victoria Square area of the town back to its former architectural glories and the refurbishment of the former Co-op building is a key part of that.

'It is a truly fantastic building and one that once it is restored will offer top range facilities for future users.

'The overall plan for this southern end of the regeneration zone is to encourage restaurateurs and bistro owners to invest there and so the idea of a plaza with open views of what will be a very attractive open space ties in very well.'

Work on Victoria Square is due to start early in the New Year and will involve the replacement of the sunken gardens at the front of the old town hall building with the open plaza creating a substantial open space for the public and a more 'cosmopolitan' feel to the area.

Now the council has moved to allay the fears of residents and environmental group Friends of the Earth which voiced concern over the removal of 26 trees from the square, a plan designed to give unobstructed views of some of the town's greatest architectural assets.

It has confirmed every single tree removed will be replaced elsewhere.

A spokesman said: 'The decision to remove the trees was not taken lightly and they will be replaced.

'The council appreciates the value of trees as a great asset as long as they are appropriate to their surroundings.

'The removal of the trees will give people and the CCTV cameras a clear view of the whole square.'